The Federal government has granted approval for the Harbour Solutions Project under the federal EA process. The approved federal Environmental Screening Report is available below in PDF format. The Environmental Assessment (EA) reports prepared by HRM for the federal EA process are also available, as part of the Public Registry required by the federal legislation.
The federal government, through th Canadian Environmental Assessment (EA) Act , requires environmental assessment of projects for which the federal government has decision-making authority. The Harbour Solutions Project triggered the federal EA Act through several types of federal decision-making processes: Regulatory Approvals, the allocation of Federal Funds, and the allocation of Federal Lands. There are 3 levels of assessment under the federal Act - screening, comprehensive study, and public panel hearings. The Harbour Solutions Project required a screening-level assessment, but is not one of the project types which must undergo a comprehensive study. A Panel Hearing was not required for this project, but public input was considered.
A joint Federal/Provincial Panel Hearing was conducted during the early 1990s for the previous Halifax Harbour Cleanup Incorporated (HHCI) project, with the Panel Report (PDF 3.57 MB) completed in 1993. The federal assessment process for the Harbour Solutions Project utilized the extensive information developed for that previous assessment, and concentrated on the differences between the former HHCI project and the present Harbour Solutions Project.
A project description and scope of assessment were accepted by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) to initiate the federal EA process. Public Works and Government Services Canada was responsible for coordinating the assessment process, overseen by CEAA. A number of studies were conducted by HRM to provide additional information on the environment and the project impacts. Reports on those studies are posted here. A draft Screening Report was submitted to CEAA in April, 2001, a revised draft was submitted in October, 2001, as well as 3 Addenda during 2002. The final federal Screening Report was signed by the Responsible Authorities in February, 2003.
The province of Nova Scotia also has an Environmental Assessment process, but indicated that an assessment was not required under that process for the Harbour Solutions Project. Provincial regulatory approval has been granted to construct the new sewage treatment plants and collection system, and the province has set end-of-pipe discharge limits. Permits to operate these facilities arel also required, as well as for the sludge management facility.
External Links:
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA)
Provincial Environmental Assessment
